Knob Creek at 60%? Sign me up. Might as well call this Baby Booker's. Only, at 9 years, it's actually older. Quickly, I'm not sure when this was bottled, but I can tell it's at least a couple years old, as it dons the label these bottles had back when the base KC was still an NAS (I think the look has been changed twice since this the bottles looked like mine does.) Mine is from Barrel #9187, hand selected by Longhorn Steakhouse. Yes, you read that correctly. No, I did not purchase this from a Longhorns. Regardless, let's see if they've got a sense of good SB bourbon. Nose: Heavy cherry and vanilla with some caramel and peanut brittle. Brown sugar, nougat, maple, and baked apple. It's got plenty of spice, but is devoid of the ethanol. Instead, I get cinnamon, oak, clove, and nutmeg. It's a powerhouse; great start. Palate: Standard caramel and vanilla. Maple, brown sugar, and the classic Beam peanut brittle note. Behind that I get a hint of barrel char and a sizable hit of the steak sauce note I often find in Booker's. The mid-palate also adds milk chocolate and chewy fudge. More of the cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and oak spices round out an awesome palate. Finish: Long and hot as hell. The finish takes you right up and to the edge of your breaking point, but hits the brakes just before it reaches the cliff. That may scare of some, but a Booker's fan will feel right at home. A blitz of peanut brittle, barrel char, caramel, and fudge come crashing forward in that order. Just when you think it's over, steak sauce piles on, followed by cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and oak spice once again. This finish is as long as they make them, and damn near puts a hole in your just--in the best way possible. If you've read any of my Booker's reviews, you'll know that I love them all. And if you haven't, I'm sure that reading this review belies my affinity for the line. Well, consider this an honorary Booker's batch. Not just in quality but also in terms of specific notes. This is the only whiskey not named Booker's that's ever given me steak sauce. Beyond that, it shares a lot in common with batches like Center Cut and Bluegrass. How's the value? I'll put it in perspective. At $44, this is less than half of what I spend on Booker's (to be fair, it was probably only a $10-15 difference when this bottle was produced.) The only cask strength whiskey I've purchased for cheaper was Wild Turkey Rare Breed by $1, and I can't find it that cheap anywhere these days. My point? This is fantastic juice, even when you evaluate all whiskies in a cost-free vacuum. If we consider price as a factor? It becomes one of the best values I've ever had. 5/5 for this one. It's a single barrel, so your mileage may vary. But after trying this one, I say go for it.